- Approximately 880,000 families took holidays in Ireland this year
- The average spend was €1,180 per trip
- 75pc of home holiday maers holidayed exclusively within the 26 counties
- Prolonged hot weather and extreme heatwaves in Europe drove domestic holidays
- Rising air travel costs and airport congestion encouraged local breaks
About 880,000 families took holidays in Ireland this year, spending an average of €1,180 each, with the increase in home holidays linked to prolonged hot weather encouraging more domestic breaks rather than overseas trips.
This trend supports local tourism and hospitality businesses across the country during the summer period. 75pc of home holidayers holidayed exclusively within the State, flocking to sunny coastlines and scenic areas like County Kerry and County Waterford, while 15pc took their main break in the six counties.
The increase in domestic holidays has emerged as warm local weather and extreme, record-breaking heatwaves across continental Europe prompted roughly 880,000 families to holiday domestically while choosing to bypass airport hassles and scorching southern destinations. Enjoyable warm weather at home combined with intense, uncomfortable temperatures across traditional Mediterranean hotspots has driven the trend. Rising air travel costs, airport congestion and anxiety over flight disruptions have encouraged more holidaymakers to pack the car and stay local.
Spending data reflects a softening in outbound air travel as domestic hospitality providers and family resorts report robust seasonal demand. The economic impact of the home holiday trend has been significant, with local businesses benefiting from increased domestic visitor numbers. The Republic saw 75pc of home holidayers holiday exclusively in the 26 counties, while cross-border travel saw 15pc take their main break in the six counties and 10pc travel to both parts of the island during their time off.
Travel Extra shared: “The increase in home holidays has been linked to prolonged hot weather encouraging more domestic breaks rather than overseas trips, supporting local tourism and hospitality businesses.”
Fáilte Ireland shared in a written statement: “Spending data reflects a softening in outbound air travel as domestic hospitality providers and family resorts report robust seasonal demand, 75pc of respondents holidayed exclusively within the State, flocking to sunny coastlines and scenic areas like County Kerry and County Waterford.”
